9/30/2008 - MMA Announces Changes in Government Affairs Division

The Mississippi Manufacturers Association announces the following changes in its Government Affairs Division: John Baas, formerly MMA director of industrial relations, was promoted to director of government affairs. New staff members John McKay and Katherine Barlow have been named deputy directors of the division.

Prior to coming to MMA in 1992, Baas worked for more than 20 years in manufacturing plants in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas in manufacturing management, safety and human resources. His work experience includes multi-plant operations, in both union and nonunion environments.
Baas will coordinate MMA’s relationships with state legislative and administrative agencies. He also will serve as staff liaison for the Government Affairs Committee and the MMA Political Action Committee.

Baas currently serves on the Mississippi Department of Employment Security Advisory Council. He recently served a term on the Mississippi State Personnel Board. He received a bachelor’s degree in industrial education from Mississippi State University. He is a native of McComb.

McKay’s responsibilities will include monitoring taxation, environmental and employee relations legislation at the federal and state levels, as well as coordinating MMA’s annual environmental conference. He also will represent MMA’s interests to regulatory agencies such as the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Prior to joining MMA, McKay was an ICMA (International City/County Management Association) Management Fellow with the Sarasota County (Fla.) government. In this role, he gained experience in county administration planning and development, communications, financial planning, community services and public works.

McKay holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Public Administration from the College of Charleston. He is a native of Brandon.

Barlow primarily will cover energy, transportation and workforce development issues at the federal and state levels. She also will represent MMA’s interests to regulatory agencies such as the Public Service Commission.

Barlow most recently served as legislative liaison with the Georgia General Assembly, where she tracked and reported on more than 600 bills and resolutions daily, researched Georgia Code, facilitated study committee meetings and participated in legislative think tanks. She also worked in the office of U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.

Barlow is a native of Madison and holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Georgia. She also studied British Common Law, European Union and International Conflict at Oxford University.

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